BRILLIANT mare Steno is back where it all started.
It was way back on August 31, 2021 when the regally bred daughter of Sweet Lou won her first start at Menangle.
And it is two-and-a-half years since she last raced at Sydney’s harness racing HQ when she ran third in the 3YO Breeders Challenge final.
Since then, Steno has risen to great heights in the care of trainer-driver Jocelyn Young in WA and taken her record to 50 starts for 24 wins, 14 placings and $576,150 in earnings.
It’s fitting that Young has brought Steno back “home” for what looks like the last chapter of her racing career.
“She’s six now and has nothing left to prove, so I’d imagine she’ll go to the breeding barn after this campaign,” Young said.
“We tossed-up bringing her across this time last year, but getting a flight back to Perth was an issue.
“This time it’s just a one-way ticket and we decided to bring her across early.”
Steno arrived in Melbourne early last week and has settled well since moving up to Luke McCarthy’s Cobbitty property last Thursday.
Her target is the $200,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle on May 10.
Steno will try to book her ticket into the race from an ideal pole draw in Saturday night’s $50,000 Group 3 Sibelia Stakes (1609m) at Menangle.
“She’s won most of her races in front and drawing one makes it easy for me, we’ll just lead again and hope she’s good enough,” Young said.
Although Steno hasn’t raced since a second at Pinjarra on March 17, Young is confident she’s fit enough.
“You’d always like race fitness, but I can’t fault her,” she said.
“I took her into Menangle on Monday for a really solid workout and that’s sure to have brought her on again.
“She’ll gallop tomorrow (Thursday) and be ready to go.
“Hopefully she does enough this week to go straight through to the big one, otherwise we’ll run her again in next week’s qualifier.
“But, on how she seems, she should run a great race this week.”
This will be Young’s second drive at Menangle.
“I finished fifth on Cherishthememories, a half-sister to Steno, about three years ago,” she said.
“I’m glad I had that experience because it is different here. The gate goes so quickly when it lets them go.”
